Forest School (Ages 6-8) & Field School (Ages 9-14)

Forest School (Ages 6-8) and Field School (Ages 9-12⁺) welcomes homeschool children (and those who are excused from their school) to participate one day per week throughout the school year.

We focus on the whole child by supporting personal growth through deepening connections to the natural world. Year after year, parents report that children show an increase in sense of well-being, confidence, resilience and naturalist knowledge by attending Merrohawke. Our programs differ from traditional environmental education programs in that we place a dual focus on building a connection to the natural world while also supporting social-emotional and physical growth in a 100% outdoor, natural setting. By not just focusing on science topics, our students develop diverse skills that enable them to succeed in academics and other endeavors. 

We understand that modern childhood has turned to electronic screens, especially during the pandemic. Prior to COVID, most American children spent up to eight hours a day inside interacting with digital media and less than 30 minutes a day engaged in unstructured, outdoor nature play. Sadly, these numbers are even higher now.

“This is important in a world that is becoming ever more digitized and removed from reality,” writes author David Sobel. “This flips the concept of real on its head. What’s real is technology and the built environment; the natural world becomes distant and ‘unreal.’”  All Merrohawke programs have always sought to reestablish a balance of indoor versus outdoor time in childhood.  

We work in earnest to ensure that all children may grow strong by nature.

Teaching Philosophy & Curriculum

Our philosophy and curriculum are rooted in the principles of nature mentoring and Waldorf education. Through carefully created experiences--and the spontaneous opportunities that nature offers up each day--we strive to give time and space for curiosity to inspire further inquiry. In this way, knowledge about the natural world can deepen over time and at their own pace.  

Main lesson: a block learning approach to education that focuses on one topic for about an hour as part of our day for about 3-5 weeks. Teachers engage students during this time through lecture, movement, art, storytelling, recitation and lab work to enhance our nature studies. Relevant and engaging blocks this year may include botany, zoology, astronomy, geology, fables and folktales, etc. Our studies are collected in a nature journal that students may take home in May.

Songs and oral storytelling to support literacy, language development, imagination, creativity and community building. 

Projects (whittling, cordage, knot-tying, etc.) and handwork (sewing, embroidery, knitting, etc.) to increase cognitive skills, strengthen fine motor skills and enhance the ability to follow a project through to completion.

Unstructured Time in Nature: Students are given time and space to follow their curiosity

Place-Based Education: Total immersion in local landscape, heritage, and culture to build personal relationships with the land and its inhabitants.

Land Stewardship & Agricultural Arts: While at the farm in all seasons, students engage in hands-on learning with Farmer Jeremy in the gardens to deepen their understanding of the ecosystem around them and invite wisdom as to how to live with the land instead of upon it. 

Each day is filled with what nature offers up as we further integrate cyclical lessons sourced from the seasonal rhythms. With nature as our teacher, students may learn: 

Essential Details ~ Homeschool Program